Probe El-rufai’s Eight Years As Governor, Shehu Sani Urges EFCC

A former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, on Sunday called for a comprehensive investigation into the eight-year administration of ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, alleging financial impropriety, abuse of office, and widespread hardship during his tenure.

Sani made the call at a press conference in Kaduna, urging security and anti-corruption agencies to probe what he described as the mismanagement of public funds running into hundreds of billions of naira between 2015 and 2023.

He specifically called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to act on the reported indictment of the former governor by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

“The EFCC must swing into action and ensure that every allegation raised by the House of Assembly is thoroughly investigated. No one should be above the law”, Sani said.

The former lawmaker alleged that the state experienced hardship, insecurity, demolitions, and human rights violations under El-Rufai’s leadership, describing the era as one of the most difficult in the state’s history.

“Between 2015 and 2023, our state went through enormous challenges. There were demolitions that displaced people, rising insecurity, and policies that inflicted pain on ordinary citizens,” he continued.

Sani also questioned what he termed El-Rufai’s democratic credentials, alleging that journalists, activists, clerics, and community leaders were arrested or detained during the administration.

He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of political activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, who has been missing since 2019.

“We cannot talk about justice and accountability without addressing unresolved cases like that of Dadiyata. Security agencies must redouble their efforts,” Sani added.

The senator’s remarks followed recent comments by El-Rufai during an interview on Arise TV, where the former governor criticised the current administration.

Describing the criticism as contradictory, Sani noted that El-Rufai had actively campaigned for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections.

“You cannot market a candidate to Nigerians as the best option and later turn around to attack the same government. That is political inconsistency,” he said.

Sani further claimed that the former governor had lost political relevance before leaving office, citing what he described as the ruling party’s performance in parts of Kaduna during the last general elections.

He commended Governor Uba Sani for what he termed improvements in security, particularly a reduction in kidnappings, and urged residents to support ongoing peace initiatives.

Ahead of 2027, Sani declared his support for Tinubu and Sani, while maintaining that Nigerians retain the right to choose leaders based on competence, integrity, and commitment to national unity.

However, former governor Nasir El-Rufai has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in previous public statements, maintaining that his administration implemented reforms aimed at improving governance and fiscal discipline in Kaduna State.